Assistant Practitioner - Speech and Language Therapy

We currently have opportunities to join the Speech and Language Therapy Bank as part of our Children’s Team. We are looking for people who have experience of working with and supporting children, preferably in a therapeutic role, who are interested in joining us on a bank basis. You will very much be part of the team, within a supportive and progressive environment. You should have great communication skills, be well organised and adaptable, and passionate about improving the life chances of children with communication needs. There are opportunities in all of our main teams, (Early Years, Mainstream and Special Schools)

We are keen to hear from you if you are looking for flexibility within a supportive team. We could also offer an opportunity and support for therapists seeking to go through the return to practice process with Health Education England.

To provide support to Speech and Language Therapist in the delivery of services in a range of settings to children across Warwickshire.

To deliver packages of care to children across the county.

To develop high quality resources for speech and language therapy interventions.

To supervise less experienced staff.

Come and join a Trust rated Outstanding by the CQC. South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust have been rated as outstanding following our latest inspection by the CQC and we are recruiting new staff to come and help us improve even further.

We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond ranging from Hospitals in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Shipston-on Stour to Community Services across the county. We are a progressive, expanding organisation with great ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity.

Our values can be summed up in one sentence. We are ‘Trusted to provide safe, effective and compassionate care’. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values and how they impact on your work. It doesn’t matter what role you do, whether it is patient facing or not, we are all working in the same way with our values at the core.

Clinical Responsibilities

To independently undertake and timetable therapy programmes designed and directed by therapists with periodic liaison and direction as agreed.

To be responsible for the organisation and maintenance of therapy resources within the department.

To purchase and maintain technical equipment and library resources, including responsibility for inventories and booking systems.

To provide practical support with technical equipment for SLTs as required, including for meetings, interviews, etc.

To assist SLTs in the preparation and delivery of training packages to other SLTs, education staff, parents/ carers.

To assess children’s response to treatment.

To undertake day to day supervision of less experienced staff.

To organise and catalogue resources for the team.

To design and prepare therapy materials as required, using a variety of methods and materials, including computer-based programmes.

To be responsible for audio-visual equipment, including booking systems and maintenance

To provide demonstration and training to SALTs in the use of audio-visual equipment.

Independently to prioritise and manage own workload in consultation with Team Co-ordinator.

Undertake individual therapy programmes with children designed by SLTs.

Undertake a range of group therapy programmes in clinic settings, either independently or supporting the therapist.

To demonstrate and advise educational settings on the use of communication support systems and strategies.

Manage children’s behaviour and motivate them to achieve positive therapy outcomes, including children who are challenging or have severe / complex difficulties.

Assess children’s response to treatment and judge when to progress therapy.

To notify SLT if programme is not going to plan and suggest modifications.

To maintain detailed written records of their observations of assessments and therapy sessions for feedback to SLTs.

To use well developed interpersonal skills in order to form productive relationships with families, recognising the need for and ensuring sensitivity and care where there may be emotional stress or there are potential barriers to communication.

To provide routine advice and support related to the therapy programme for parents as appropriate.

To video record / photograph and edit therapy sessions if required.

To design and prepare individualised therapy materials (eg. Books, charts, games), using IT, specific software and other media.

To undertake supervision of less appropriately experienced staff.

Professional

To maintain clinical and non-clinical standards and work within the policy frameworks laid down (e.g. N.H.S., Trust, Royal College of Speech and Language Therapist’s, Health Professionals Council) through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes.

To demonstrate ability to reflect on own practice, identify strengths and development needs and achieve goals set for personal and professional development.

To participate in the development of innovative clinical practice through member ship of “working teams”.

To disseminate newly acquired information to other team members.

To be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries, seeking advice as appropriate.

To participate in clinical supervision in line with Department and Trust policy.

To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible.

To be flexible to the demands of environments including unpredictable work patterns, deadlines and frequent interruptions.

To maintain highest standards of clinical records including up to date and accurate case notes, electronic data entry, recording and report writing in line with professional and Trust guidelines.

To monitor stock levels in own service area and request new equipment as appropriate.

To be responsible for the security, care and transporting of equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained – including equipment loaned to clients.

To organise suitable accommodation in clinics / schools.

To organise and transport treatment equipment required to work in locations. These may be unwieldy / heavy / bulky.

To work within a wide range of locations requiring careful calculation of driving time according to traffic and weather conditions in planning efficient work schedules.

To work within a wide range of environments with differing demands and expectation requiring the ability to modify personal and social approaches as required by environment.

To maintain the concentration required despite distractions.